As 2016 comes to a close, I’ve started to reflect on everything that’s happened and pray that 2017 deals me a better hand. I think a lot of people can agree that this year hasn’t quite played out as we thought, but it’s the hardships that help us to grow and to learn.
1. Spread love not hate.
Wars and violence plague the world today, and all of those issues stem from hatred and malice. The world we be such a better place if we simply treated one another as we wanted to be treated ourselves.
2. You have a right to your opinion.
People might not always like what you have to say and that’s completely okay, but don’t let them tell you that your opinion doesn’t matter because I promise you it does.
3. Don't take everything too seriously.
Yeah sometimes life throws you a curveball, but it’s how you react that determines the overall result. Having a lighthearted approach to certain subjects can make going through tough times much more bearable.
4. Respect goes a long way.
Appreciating and empathizing with someone else’s culture, ethnicity, faith, or even their opinions can really help you in facing confrontational situations. It’s simple: respect others, and they will respect you back.
5. Be selfish from time to time.
While I am a total believer in the idea of putting others before yourself, sometimes it is so important to make your own physical, spiritual, and emotional health your first priority. Not only that, but splurge on yourself every now and then: treat yo self.
6. Find a hobby to keep you grounded.
When you find yourself going crazy over a deadline or something else that keeps you up at night, turning to a hobby can make this much more bearable. Whether it be singing, dancing, playing video games, working out, or even online shopping, having something to take your mind off the tough times can really help.
7. Stand up for what's right.
Whether it be global warming, hunger, poverty, police brutality, or animal cruelty, each subject has value and it’s our job to try and change these things – especially as millenials – so that the generations to come live in a world that we can be proud of.
8. You are what you eat.
Our culture is constantly marketing overly processed, ridiculously unhealthy foods, transforming our society into a bunch Americans with clogged arteries and high blood pressure. Treating yourself is okay in moderation, but remember that the foods you eat have such a significant effect on your health.
9. Be your own person.
Nowadays everyone’s always following the latest trends and doing everything that they see celebrities doing so individuality is something that we rarely see in our culture. Don’t let society intimidate you from being who you are; it’s so exhausting to pretend to be someone who you’re not so don’t be afraid to be an individual.
10. It's okay not to be okay.
There is such a negative stigma associated with mental illnesses in today’s society and let me just say that it’s total bull. There is absolutely nothing wrong with having a mental illness of any shape or size or even if you’re just upset and having a bad day. Everyone’s entitled to be bummed out every once in a while but if you do have a mental illness, remember that you’re not alone and that you will be okay.
11. If it's meant to be, it will be.
In the words of good old President Snow from The Hunger Games, "hope is the only thing stronger than fear.” If things aren’t going your way and you feel like giving up, know that the Lord has such complete, pure, and fulfilling things planned for you and that in the end, everything will turn out as it is meant to.
12. The Big Guy upstairs will always have your back.
No matter what you are facing in life, God will always be there for you. If you feel like your world is falling apart, He will be there. If you need someone to talk to, He’s there. All He wants is a relationship with you so no matter what, He will never fail you.
13. Family over everything.
Friendships and relationships all have the potential to end at some point but the bond that you share with your family should be something special. They are your support system from the very beginning and are a direct result of God’s love for us. No matter what you all face, you stay together and support one another.
14. Know your worth.
To all the people who hear the voices you hear in your head telling you “you’re not good enough,” they’re wrong. You are so special and unique in your own way even when you don’t see it. You are worth so much more than you think and so many people – your friends, family, and your Heavenly Father – all love you very much. Never forget that.
15. Quality is greater than quantity.
One of the biggest things that I’ve come to realize is the importance of friendships in your life. They share life’s joys and life’s pains with you and most of the time, you consider them family. But having a few meaningful friendships is so much more valuable and fulfilling than having a bunch of surface-level friendships where the only thing you can talk about is the latest drama about a guy in your class. While yeah no one likes to be left out by the big, popular group, majority of the time it isn’t worth being upset over.
16. Don't take anything for granted.
There are so many times where people are wishing for more; they want more earthly possessions, better grades, a boyfriend who will give them better gifts at Christmas time, and that’s not a problem. The issue comes in when these same people are taking all of the things that make their life so special for granted. Our time on this earth is fleeting so every moment is special and we should be grateful for everything that God’s already given us.
So yeah, maybe 2016 wasn’t the greatest, but it’s taught me so much about myself that I wouldn’t have been able to learn any other way. It’s through hardships that we learn the most. Well 2017, no matter what you throw my way, I’m ready for it.
